Team Insight

66 Team Insight / November 2018 BSN Acquires Port Jefferson BSN Sports has added to its stable of team dealers with the recent acquisition of Port Jefferson Sporting Goods, based in Port Jefferson, NY. Port Jeff has been providing sporting goods equipment and apparel to team customers in the New York area since 1971. "We are thrilled to welcome Richie LoNigro and the Port Jeff Sporting Goods staff to the BSN Sports family," says BSN president Terry Babilla. "We have known Port Jeff for years and can attest firsthand to their 'customer-first' culture backed by a talented group of team sports professionals. They are perfectly-aligned with our approach to the team sports community." SanMar Donates to Why Not You Foundation SanMar recently worked with the Why Not You Foundation to donate $126,100 to Friends of the Children. The company's home office and eight distribution centers held a variety of events to raise money for Friends of the Children, a national organization dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty. SanMar joined forces with Why Not You Foundation because of their core values and because both organizations are committed to meeting the needs of children in their communities to help them to thrive. Because of these shared beliefs, SanMar and Why Not You Foundation wanted to ensure funds raised supported an organization that had an innovative approach to providing support, skills and mentoring to kids during critical stages of their lives. SanMar employees donated their money and time in a variety of ways, including purchasing tickets for raffle bas- kets, food and dessert sales, wine tastings, chair massages, product sales and more. It was a great way for employees to creatively fundraise for an organization that has inspired and benefitted so many children around the country. The total donation included a generous company match. A Line We Like: No Sweat NoSweat is looking to change the way athletes sweat one hat or helmet at a time with its NoSweat thin liners, which stick to the inside of headwear and feature SweatLock tech- nology engineered to instantly absorb sweat. Moisture is locked inside the liner to help prevent dripping sweat, fog- ging and sweat stains. Each NoSweat liner absorbs around two ounces of sweat. NoSweat liners are available for hats, helmets, hardhats and visors and start at $4.99 for a pack of three and $37.99 for a pack of 25. n END ZONE teaminsightmag.com Coming (Back) in 2019: Russell Football A fter offering Russell Athletic basketball u n i f o rm s a n d c o re basics in August, fol- lowed by the launch of baseball and softball in November, Augusta Sportswear Brands, now the exclusive team uni- form partner of Russell Athletic, has slated its football launch for early 2019. Russell Athletic will be positioned as the premium uniform line within Augusta Sportswear Brands, comple- menting its three other team brands — Augusta Sportswear, Holloway Sportswear and High Five Sportswear. "Football is a major component of the Russell Athletic DNA and Augusta Sportswear Brands plans to utilize the same great fabrics and styles that garnered Russell Athletic the respect of football coaches and deal- ers around the country," explains Brad Sullivan, who is heading up the Russell operations within Augusta Sportswear. "We will be carrying all the top- selling Russell styles and maintaining as much consistency as possible to simplify the job of the dealer and road rep," he adds. "We are com- mitted to the long-term growth of the Russell Athletic brand and plan to win back dealer confidence one order at a time." The new line will match Russell Athletic color standards, style num- bers and specifications and will utilize the same fabrics, sewing and construction methods that helped build the Russell Athletic brand. Augusta will release a catalog in the next few months, with plans to have Russell Athletic football product available for sale in early 2019 for the fall season. The Russell Athletic line will be serviced with deep inventory, according to Sullivan, and be made available with Augusta's Fair and Simple Shipping policy; dealers will have free freight starting at $200. "We are excited about the stra- tegic partnership with Augusta Sportswear to bring high-quality Russell Athletic uniforms back to the team sports channel," adds Matt Murphy, VP–marketing at Russell Athletic. "Augusta is an ideal partner to bring Russell Athletic to the next generation of teams and athletes." Sullivan points out that Augusta and Russell Athletic are collaborating on a number of initiatives to grow the Russell Athletic brand, with the immediate objective to build dealer confidence and re-establish Russell Athletic within the team business. "We believe in the bright future of the Russell Athletic brand," Sullivan says. "We are excited to make the investments in technology, fabrics and product to propel the Russell Athletic brand to new heights." n

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